Devika Sihag Shines at Azerbaijan International, Secures Second Title in a Row

India’s rising badminton star Devika Sihag continues her winning streak, clinching her second consecutive title at the Azerbaijan International tournament, while Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma also shine in mixed doubles.

Devika Sihag Shines at Azerbaijan International Badminton Tournament

Baku, Azerbaijan – India’s rising badminton star, Devika Sihag, has once again showcased her exceptional talent by clinching her second consecutive title at the Azerbaijan International tournament. Following her historic victory at the Thailand Masters, where she became only the third Indian woman to win a BWF World Tour Super 300 title, Devika continued her winning streak by defeating compatriot Navya Kanderi in the final with a commanding score of 21-10, 21-13.

In an exclusive interview with BAI Media, Devika expressed her satisfaction with her performance over the past two weeks, despite limited training. “I am thrilled with how I played. I will now have almost a month to train before my next tournament, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said, hinting at her hopes of participating in the upcoming Swiss Open with her improved ranking.

In addition to Devika’s triumph, the mixed doubles pair of Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma also made headlines by securing the title. They faced a tough challenge against the third-seeded duo of Mihajlo Tomic and Andjela Vitman, ultimately emerging victorious after a nail-biting match that lasted over an hour. The final score was a close 24-22, 10-21, 24-22, showcasing their resilience under pressure.

The success of these young athletes not only highlights their individual talents but also signals a promising future for Indian badminton on the international stage. As Devika prepares for her next challenge, the badminton community eagerly anticipates her continued ascent in the sport.

A New Era for Kickboxing in India

In a significant development for Indian sports, the Kickboxing Super League (KSL) was launched during the WAKO India National Championship in New Delhi. The league aims to professionalize kickboxing in India by introducing structured competitions, athlete contracts, and performance-linked rewards.

Co-founder Ajay Adlakha emphasized the league’s commitment to inclusivity, with a 60:40 men-to-women participation ratio. The inaugural season will feature eight franchise teams, each comprising 34 fighters, and a Mega Performance Award of up to Rs 1 crore will be conferred on the best-performing fighters.

Indian Players Excel at Coromandel Chennai Open

The Coromandel Chennai Open ATP Challenger Men’s International Tennis Championship kicked off with a strong showing from Indian players. Nine local competitors won their first-round qualifying matches, with notable performances from fourth seed Nitin Kumar Sinha and sixth seed Ishaque Eqbal, both securing comfortable victories.

As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for the final round of qualifying, where Indian players are expected to make a significant impact.

Basil Sunny Claims National Supercross Title

In motorsport, Basil Sunny from Ernakulam celebrated his first national title at the MRF MoGrip FMSCI Indian National Supercross Championship finale in Visakhapatnam. The event saw fierce competition, with Pune’s Rugved Barguje reclaiming the national crown in the premier SX1 class.

As Indian athletes continue to excel across various sports, the nation’s sporting landscape is evolving, promising exciting prospects for the future.